A Nation Once Again lyrics

When boyhood's fire was in my blood

I read of ancient freemen,

Of Greece and Rome who bravely stood,

Three hundred men and free men;

And then I thought I ever might see

Our fetters rent in twain,

And Ireland, long a province, be

A Nation once again!

Chorus:

A Nation once again,

A Nation once again,

And lreland, long a province, be

A Nation once again!

And from that time, through wildest woe,

That hope has shone a far light,

Nor could love's brightest summer glow

Outshine that solemn starlight;

It seemed to watch above my head

In forum, field and fane,

Its angel voice sang round my bed,

A Nation once again! (chorus)

So, as I grew from boy to man,

I bent me to that bidding

My spirit of each selfish plan

And cruel passion ridding;

For, thus I hoped some day to aid,

Oh, can such hope be vain ?

When my dear country shall be made

A Nation once again! (chorus)

[The two last strophes are not always sung by the Dubliners, Luke Kelly]